Instrumental Studios

the perfect mix of chamber and orchestra training

A Blossom summer is unique in that our faculty personnel are equally respected as world-class solo, orchestral and chamber music artists.

Students will gain invaluable insight and experience as they are mentored by these artists in chamber music, orchestra repertoire and private lessons. Instrumental Studios include Strings, Winds/Horn and Piano.

Strings

KBMF String Co-Chairman Ivan Chan and Cathy Robinson exemplify a faculty equally hailed as performers and educators. They bring the best traditions of the Gingold and Galamian schools of violin technique and training to guide the violin studio each summer.

The string curriculum focuses on building chamber music skills within the smaller and larger group settings led by Cleveland Orchestra string principals and augmented by world-renowned musicians and pedagogues.

I his own words, long-time conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra George Szell "set out to build an orchestra with the finest European orchestral traditions of spontaneity, warmth and style with the finest American orchestral traditions of impeccable intonation, brilliance and smoothness of execution with particular emphasis on ensemble playing to the point of chamber musical feeling between each individual member."

Today, "under Franz Welser-Mӧst's directorship. The Cleveland Orchestra continues to be one of the most outstanding ensembles in the USA, with good reason. Moments are always well balanced. The brass proves exquisite. The strings play with warm timbre. The high strings play with a radiance that can by no means be taken for granted in European concert halls. In Welser-Mӧst's supple hands this chamber-like feel, left nothing to be desired."

-Lars-Erik Gerth, Maintal Tagesanzeiger, August 21, 2004

winds/horn

The Woodwind and French Horn curriculum is dedicated to the focused exploration and performance of the standard wind repertoire in addition to original and sometimes lesser know chamber music repertoire. The curriculum encourages individual interaction while guided by some of the world's leading instrumental artists.

The curriculum is carefully designed to perform works that integrate winds, strings, and piano together through a vast catalogue of larger chamber works that has included: Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time, Poulenc Sextet, Copland's Appalachian Spring, Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks as well as standard wind repertoire including Barber's Summer Music, Mozart and Beethoven's Quintets, Strauss Suite for Thirteen Winds and Gounod's Petite Symphony for Winds.

KBMF Keyboard Alumni hold positions with The Cleveland Orchestra, University of Southern California, Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts, Peabody Conservatory, Florida State, University of Kentucky, and Pittsburgh State and Wesleyan University.

As a top Ohio undergraduate and graduate school, Kent State's eight campuses offer the resources of a large university with the friendly atmosphere of a liberal arts college. Enroll today to start pursuing your future at one of the best colleges in Ohio. We’ve been educating graduates for over 100 years; join us today.